August 2016 Volume 65 Number 7 Pe Decision 2016 is fast approachingflorida Primary and Election in August followed by the General Election in November- - and the League of Women Voters of Broward County is working hard to ensure that citizens are registered and informed! Laura Simon, Carol Smith, Margery Marcus, Alice Levy and their other energetic volunteers are fielding over 15 events throughout Broward County in August to register voters, showcase candidates and inform residents. Shaheewa Gelin and the Broward Vote! Coalition are reaching out to our community to provide important forums on issues, amendments and candidates of particular importance to youth, minority and women voters. Jane Gross is promoting Vote411.org to provide relevant information on candidates, issues, and election logistics to residents based on their specific location and interests. Jocelyn Carter- Miller is informing residents on vital election information through newspaper, radio, and TV appearances. Bradette Jepsen continues to build a cadre of supporters and programs to drive the LWV Gun Safety initiative in Broward County. Bonnie Gross, Shaheewa Gelin, Harriet Mathis and Janie Koszoru are effectively reaching our constituencies with up- to- date information through the LWVBC website, Facebook, Twitter, Voter, and traditional media outlets. LWVBC board members, including Nora Ayala, Betty Gambino, Donna Meyers, Elayne Garber, and Gloria Reinhardt- - are leading committees, volunteering, advocating for LWV and organizing important efforts. These and more LWVBC initiatives and programs are made possible by your generous volunteer and JoAnne Aye and Carol Smith are requesting volunteers for pre and post- Volunteering counts as a fundraiser to support LWVBC programsso get involved. recognize and thank Edith Satz, late LWV member, and her son Ron Satz for her generous bequest important election year. Warmest Regards, Jocelyn Jocelyn Carter- Miller, LWVBC President LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 1
Voters Service Thank you to all members who volunteered to register voters, speak, and attend league events this past month: Bradette, Julie, Laura, Nora, Andrea S, Janie, Maggie, Marge, Margery, Betty, John, Harriet, Alice, Gloria, Joyce, Scherry, Donna, and Nancy. Alice Levy moderated the Judges Forum organized by Paul Roli and sponsored by the Wilton Manors Homeowners Associations and the LWVBC. Alice also assisted the Caribbean Bar and American Caribbean Chamber of Commerce with their well- attended candidate forum. Mark your calendars to attend three candidate forums in advance of the August 30 election. Alice Levy moderates at Caribbean Bar Candidate Forum August Voter Speaking and Registration Events (Volunteers Needed) August 2: FL Voting History, 6-7:30 pm, NW Regional Lib, 3151 N. University Coral Springs (speaker: Margery/Janie) August 2: Decision 2016, 7 pm, GoGo Dem. Club, Coral Ridge E. Clubhouse, 3600 32 nd Ave (speaker: Carol) August 4: FL Voting History, 12:30-2 pm, North Regional/BC Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd, Coconut Creek (speaker: Margery/Janie) August 5: Decision 2016, 1:30 pm, Elite Health, 1380 Hiatus Rd, Pembroke Pines August 8: Decision 2016, 7 pm, Miramar Democratic Club, Ansin Sports Complex, 10801 Miramar Blvd Miramar August 9: Decision 2016, 7-8:30 pm, HOA, St. George Park, 3501 NW 8 th St, Lauderhill August 11: Ballot and Beyond, 12:30-2 pm, Nova Life Long Learning Institute, Davie (speaker: Margery/Janie) August 13: LWVBC Information Table, 9, Piney Grove Baptist Church August 15: Decision 2016, 1 pm, St. Andrews Tower, 2700 NW 99 th Ave, Coral Springs August 18: Decision 2016, 2 pm, ORT Playa Del Mar media room, 3400 Galt Ocean Dr, Fort Lauderdale August 29: Voter Registration, 11 am- 1 pm, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Ave, Davie Pending Speaking and Registration Events (Save the Date) Sept 1: Decision 2016, 9:30 am, TRIAD, Davie Police Dept, 1230 S Nob Hill Rd, Davie Sept 6: Decision 2016, Time: TBA, St. Andrews Council of Catholic Women, Coral Springs Candidate Forums: August 15: Voice Your Choice Candidate Forum, 7-9 pm, sponsored by the Urban League August 16: Candidate Forum, 5:30-9 pm, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, E. Pat Larkins Community Center, Pompano August 17: Candidate Forum Broward State Attorney, Clerk of Circuit Court, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, FL Senate District 34, 6:30-8:30 pm, Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Contact Voters Service Chair: Laura Simon (johnsimon@bellsouth.net) or 954-430- 5234 LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 2
2016 Election News: Who & What to Vote For NEW VOTER INFORMATION CARDS HAVE BEEN MAILED. Be sure you save your card and check it carefully to find your new districts and to ensure that all your information is correct. THE AUGUST PRIMARY will include County Court, Circuit Court and School Board nonpartisan races and one Amendment to the Florida Constitution for all voters. It will also include several partisan races which will be on all ballots in those districts. This is due to a unique constitutional amendment passed by voters in 1998, called a Universal Primary. When there is no opposing party candidate on the November Ballot, the partisan race becomes open to all voters. PRIMARY: AUGUST 30: NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN VOTE o County and Circuit Court Judges o School Board members Districts 2, 5, 9 o Florida Amendment: PARTISAN ELECTIONS ONLY REGISTERED REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS CAN VOTE o US Senate o US House Districts 23 o FL Senate District 34 o FL House District 93 o County Commission Districts 1, 5, 9 o Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Court PARTISAN ELECTIONS OPEN TO ALL VOTERS ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN VOTE SINCE NO OPPOSING PARTY CANDIDATES WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT (Universal Ballot Amendment passed in 1998) o US House District 24 o Florida Senate District 29 o Florida House Districts 92, 95 o Broward State Attorney There are three ways to VOTE: Early Voting at any one of the 20 Broward locations. Go to www.browardsoe.org for locations o Sat., August 20 Sun., August 28: 10 am - 7 pm Vote by Mail: Call 954-357- 7055 or go to www.browardsoe.org to request ballot with postage pre- paid return envelope Election Day: August 30, at your assigned polling place: 7 am - 7 pm LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 3
The League's online nonpartisan voters' guide is up and running at www.vote411.org with lots of candidate information. Don't know your district numbers? Not to worry. Simply enter your address and VOILA. The system automatically provides you with information on candidates running in your districts so you can print or email to yourself your personalized sample ballot. VOTE411 is updated frequently so check back often. We invite members to mention www.vote411.org on their Facebook pages and tweet often. Vote411 is FUN and makes the work EASY! Pass it on to friends, neighbors, and followers. And take the out of voting in 2016 Enjoy some coffee and cake and let us introduce you to Vote411 and Twitter Bonus: Get the details on the August 30 th election RSVP to League phone: 954-753-1311 (Bring a Friend!) LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 4
News from Broward County Supervisor of Elections Vote by Mail Ballots: Approximately 143,509 ballots with pre- paid return postage have been mailed out to Broward voters for the Primary Election which takes place on August 30, 2016. Sample Ballots: Broward County voter households should be on the lookout for a generic Primary Election Sample Ballot arriving in the mail between August 1-5, 2016. The Sample Ballot contains the candidates for the Primary Election and important election information that will help the voter prepare to vote. Please note that one Sample Ballot will be sent per household, unless all voters in the household requested a vote- by- mail ballot. You can cross- reference the generic sample ballot with your voter information card to identify your ounty commission and school board district numbers on the ballot in the upcoming election since some numbers may have changed. There is no need to cross- reference districts when you go to www.vote411.org. Just enter your address to explore the candidates and ballot amendments. Make your choices and email or print your personalized ballot to take to the polls or use in completing your mail in ballot. Amendment 4 On the August 30 ballot Amendment 4 would authorize the Legislature to exempt solar or renewable energy source devices from certain taxation and assessments. Proposed by the Florida Legislature, Amendment 4 would allow a tax exemption for businesses who install solar panels or other renewable energy equipment on their businesses. It would exempt the value of solar panels from both the tangible personal property tax and real estate property taxes. Currently, the value of renewable energy equipment is only exempt from real estate property taxes on residential properties. A vote YES would promote the use of more solar energy, both commercial and residential; help Florida businesses produce their own electricity; and potentially encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy devices. A vote NO would maintain the status quo. The value of all solar panels and other renewable energy equipment purchased by businesses would continue to be subject to tangible personal property tax and real estate tax. Supporting Organizations: The Nature Conservancy, Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, The League of Women Voters of Florida, The Christian Coalition, Conservatives for Energy Freedom, Climate Reality Project, and others. Opposing Organizations: None at this time LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 5
Gun Control Committee Seeks Coalition Members The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence led by the League of Women Voters of Florida has grown to over 80 members. If your organization is interested in joining the coalition, contact Bradette Jepsen at bradette@earthlink.net. Read the letter from Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida for more information. Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence Perseveres Despite Silence from State Leaders Tallahassee, Fla. - - A coalition of more than 70 organizations that called on state legislators to convene a special session by July 4th to ban assault weapons and strengthen background checks will continue to fight, despite lawmakers' deaf ears. The Florida Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence was formed in the wake of the June 12th massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. One week after one young woman was killed at the Plaza Live theater and 49 people killed at Pulse Night Club, letters calling for the special session were hand- delivered to Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. None responded to the letter, despite Orlando being home to the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history. "The July 4th deadline may have passed, but we will continue to push for responsible gun legislation and hold our lawmakers accountable for the public safety of Floridians," said Patricia Brigham, Chair of the state league's Gun Safety Committee. "The newly formed Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is 70 organizations strong and growing. We are in this fight to go the distance, no matter how long it takes." The coalition includes a diverse array of organizations including Equality Florida, Hispanic Federation, Interfaith Council of Central Florida, Florida Council of Churches, Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, Florida PTA and Doctors for America. They cite that safe gun legislation must occur on the state level and that our legislators can't wait for the federal government to take action. As noted in their letter, seven states have already banned assault weapons and eight prohibit large capacity ammunition- feeding devices. "In the wake of the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history, Floridians are asking for more than prayers and vigils from our elected representatives," said Pamela Goodman, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. "Other states have helped to protect their citizens by enacting reasonable gun legislation. Don't pass the buck to federal government. This is a Florida right and a Florida responsibility." LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 6
Committee Reports Education Margery Marcus rma470000@aol.com Voters Service Laura Simon johnsimon@bellsouth.net Vote411 Jane Gross Jane144@att.net The Education Committee is working with the Speakers Bureau to develop presentations tailored to requests from community groups. Please contact Margery if your group is interested in a program related to this exciting election season. Voter Registration Events: Volunteers needed for 13 events in August and at least 2 events in September Remember to Complete your online LWVFL Voter Registration certification at http://thefloridavoter.org Your entire sample ballot will be available on July 29 at www.vote411.org Speakers Bureau Carol Smith cssmith@att.net Gun Safety Bradette Jepsen bradette@earthlink.com Speakers Bureau: This is a very busy time for members of the SB who are Decision 2016, a look at the August and November ballot. August includes presentations stitute, Broward Community Voting Fest, and regional libraries in Coconut Creek and Coral Learn about LWVFL efforts to prevent gun violence by logging on the LWVFL website. Our sincerest gratitude to Edith Satz, late LWV member, and her son Ron Satz for her generous bequest to LWVBC.. LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 7
Saturday August 6 Wednesday August 17 10 am Wednesday August 17 6:30 pm Saturday August 20 9:30 am Friday August 26 Tuesday August 30 Follow us on Twitter @lwvbcfl Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed Twentieth Century Voting Tools (see page 4) LWVBC Office 5101 NW 21 st Avenue, Suite 450, Fort Lauderdale, FL Candidate Forum Broward State Attorney, Clerk of Circuit Court, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, FL Senate District 34 Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors Board of Directors Meeting LWVBC Office 5101 NW 21 st Avenue, Suite 450 Fort Lauderdale, FL Florida Primary election Like us on Facebook Visit our Website Lwvbcfl.org The VOTER is a newsletter published by The League of Women Voters Broward County Jane Koszoru editor jkoszoru@aol.com Jocelyn Carter- Miller LWVBC president jcm197@aol.com LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 8
BOARD MEMBERS Jocelyn Carter- Miller President 954-464- 5512 jcm197@aol.com Shaheewa Jarrett Gelin Vice President 305-495- 8252 shwah07@yahoo.com Elayne Garver Secretary 954-471- 1355 elaynetg@aol.com Gloria Reinhardt Treasurer 954-344- 3787 kgr5130@bellsouth.net Nora Ayala Director 954-547- 1473 argen1214@aol.com Kamalie Belizaire Director (intern) kbeli001@fiu.edu Betty Gambino Director 954-849- 8568 bettyboop9132001@yahoo.com Bradette Jepsen Director 954-980- 9086 bradette@earthlink.net Margery Marcus Director 954-464- 4165 rma470000@aol.com Harriet Mathis Director 954-563- 3685 mathis.lwvflbc@gmail.com Donna Meyers Director 954-600- 4563 bmeyers461@aol.com Laura Simon Director 954-430- 5234 johnsimon@bellsouth.net COMMITTEE CHAIRS OPEN Shaheewa Gelin Action Community Outreach 305-495- 8252 shwah07@yahoo.com Scherry Donato Membership 240-603- 7711 scherryd1@gmail.com Database Nora Ayala Membership 954-547- 1473 Argen1214@aol.com Outreach Harriet Mathis Public Relations 954-563- 3685 mathis.lwvflbc@gmail.com Carol Smith Margery Marcus Speakers Bureau 954-341- 9221 954-646- 4165 cssmith@att.net rma470000@aol.com Janie Koszoru VOTER Editor 954-895- 4150 jkoszoru@aol.com Laura Simon Voter Services 954-430- 5234 johnsimon@bellsouth.net Bonnie Gross Website 954-561- 2698 bonnielgross@gmail.com OPEN Fundraising Margery Marcus Education 954-646- 4165 rma470000@aol.com Donna Meyers Hot Topics 954-600- 4563 bmeyers461@aol.com Harriet Mathis Voter Turnout 954-563- 3685 mathis.lwvflbc@gmail.com Taskforce Bradette Jepsen Gun Safety 954-980- 9086 Bradette@earthlink.com Jane Gross VOTE411/WRY 954-791- 0387 Jane144@att.net LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 9
LWV Broward County VOTER 65(7) August 2016 10